This Weekend in Chicago

Here's a list of events going on this weekend.

August 6-9: Chicago Comic-Con (1 Day: $30; 3 Day: $55)
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL
http://www.wizardworld.com/home-ch.html

August 7-9: Ginza Japanese Festival (Recommended Donation: $3-4)
Midwest Buddhist Temple
435 W. Menomonee St.
http://www.ginzachicago.com/

August 7-9: Caribbean Festival ($10-$15)
Union Park
1501 W. Randolph St.
http://martinsinterculture.com/caf-jic.html

August 7-9: Lollapalooza ($80; 3 Day Pass: $205)
Grant Park
500 S. Columbus Drive
http://www.lollapalooza.com/

August 8: Bud Billiken Parade (Free)
39th St./King Dr. to 55 St./King Dr.
3900 S. King Drive
http://budbillikenparade.com/

August 8-9: Korean Street Festival (Free)
Kimball/Bryn Mawr to Kedzie/Bryn Mawr
3200 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=70341494356


For a list of the many more events going on in the city click here: http://chicago.metromix.com/events/article/chicago-festival-guide/339943/content

Former President of the Philippines' Funeral

Today in Manila, Philippines a crowd of over one hundred thousand packed the streets to bid farewell to former Philippines president Corazon Aquino, who served from 1986 to 1992. Aquino was the Philippines 11th and 1st woman president.
On the streets the sky was clouded with yellow confetti and mourners chanted out Aquino's nickname, "Cory!" Mourners waved banners that read, "Auntie Cory we love you," "Continue the fight against tyranny," and "Cory, a symbol of clean politics."
Aquino died last Saturday at the age of 76, due to colon cancer. In the Philippines Aquino is remembered as being a housewife who became a politician after her husband, Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. was assassinated in 1983. The assassination was believed to have been ordered by then president Ferdinand Marcos for Aquino, Jr. was said to be his biggest rival at the time. After Aquino lost a disputed election in 1986, Marcos became the target of Aquino's "People Power" uprising and was eventually removed from office. Internationally Aquino was praised for her peaceful ousting of Marcos as president. Later that year she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and was awarded the honor of Times Magazine's "Woman of the Year."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/world/asia/06aquino.html?hpw
http://www.cwwl.org/council/bio-aquino-corazon.html

Welcome Back

Yesterday imprisoned reporters Laura Ling and Euna Lee safely arrived back to the U.S. with former president Bill Clinton by their side. The reporters were jailed in North Korea after being arrested for trespassing four and a half months ago. Last month the reporters were convicted by North Korea's highest court to serve 12 years of hard labor.

When asked about the whole experience Laura Ling said to reporters, "The past 140 days have been the most difficult, heart-wrenching days of our lives...Thirty hours ago we feared that any moment we could be sent to a hard labor camp."

Immediately after his arrival to North Korea Bill Clinton was greeted by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to discuss the reporters' release. Shortly afterwards the reporters were released into U.S. custody and boarded a plane headed back to the U.S. Upon arrival the reporters were greeted by their family, Al Gore, and the media.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/04/north-korea-welcomes-bill_n_250682.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/04/world/main5213560.shtml

Man of the Week

Lee Byung-hun(이병헌)
I want to give a shout-out to this week's Man of the Week Lee Byung-hun(이병헌). You can catch him this week in the movie, "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," as Storm Shadow.

Lee Byung-hun(이병헌) is one of Asia's biggest stars. He has had lots of blockbuster and critical success with such movies as, "JSA: Joint Security Area/공동경비구역 JSA (2000)," "A Bittersweet Life/달콤한 인생 (2005)," and "The Good, The Bad, and The Weird/좋은 놈, 나쁜 놈, 이상한 놈 (2008)." Lee's likeness was even featured as the main character, Wayne, of Capcom's 2008 game, "Lost Planet: Extreme Condition." "G.I. Joe" will be his first foray into Hollywood. Good luck and "Play on Playa!"

Summer Jam of the Day

Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz-Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)

Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz released their Hip-Hop summertime classic single "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)" in 1998. The song was featured on their one and only album, "Make It Reign." Peter Gunz' son Cory Gunz is now making a name for himself on the underground Hip-Hop scene. Did you know his godfather is Shaq?

Here's an interview he did on BET's The Deal.


Here's him rapping.

I guess sometimes the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.

What is this World Coming to?

Shooting During a Funeral Injuries Six



Yesterday afternoon, while attending a funeral service held at Gospel Truth Life-Changing Ministries Church on Chicago's West Side six people were injured by gunshot wounds, while the service was taking place. The shooting is believed to be gang related. No suspects have been arrested so far.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6943936
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/08/5-shot-on-west-side.html

Summer Jam of the Day

Big L-Put It On


Big L-MVP (Summer Smooth Remix)


Big L's debut album "Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous" was released in 1995. The album contained the street hits "Put It On," which featured DJ Kid Capri and "M.V.P. (Most Valuable Poet)." The album is also noted for featuring songs with future rap stars Cam'ron, as Killa Cam, on the song "8 Iz Enuff," and Jay-Z on "Da Graveyard."

Tragically this is the only album Big L released when he was alive. On February 15, 1999 at the age of 24, he was shot and killed for what police believe to be retaliation for something one of his brothers did or was suspected of doing. Till this day the case remains unsolved.

The following year after his death "The Big Picture" was posthumously released. Big L had been working on the album up till the time of his death. The album contains many classics and solid cuts like "Ebonics," "Flamboyant," "The Enemy," "The Heist," "Fall Back," "Platinum Plus," and "Deadly Combination" which features deceased rapper 2Pac.

Big L will possibly be regarded as one the greatest rappers in Hip-Hop history for many years to come. His crystal clear vocals, artfully descriptive lyrics, and dynamic flow will always be a testament to his legacy.